She flinched slightly and turned.
"Cassie, right now, there is nothing more important to me than helping you. Now I don't pretend to know much about anything, but I do know that I need to be here for you. It's not even a choice. I've done my part for king and country, now I have to take care of the girl who has been my daughter for so long and people are just going to have to understand that. You have to understand that you have me here to help and support you as long as you need whatever you need. Okay?" Jack stated while gauging her reaction.
Cassie nodded and walked to him and hugged him. "Thank you Jack."
He kissed the top of her head. "I love you Cassie and we will get through this together. Now go take a shower, and then come down and eat. After that, I will take you to a mall."
Cassie stepped back and looked up; confusion was evident on her face.
"Well, I haven't found a suitcase yet, and unless you plan on wearing your still wet clothes, or Sam's and mine sweats, we have to get you some clothes." Jack explained.
Cassie looked down at her clothes and then back up. She smiled slightly. "I guess I didn't really do well with my planning this trip did I?"
"You came to me for help, Sweetie. That is all I could ever ask. That you know I am here to help you." Jack said with affection in his voice.
Cassie turned to the stairs and stopped. "By the way Jack, you do realize that I have known for many years that you are a lot smarter than you let on, right?" She asked, looking back over her shoulder.
Seeing Jack adopt his cocky grin she smiled back.
"So does Sam." She added.
She walked up the stairs as Jack let the grin slip off his face. Maybe, but I still have no idea about how to deal with this.
He went into the kitchen to make Cassie some breakfast.
Cassie came back down stairs carrying her wet clothes. She walked to washer and began to feed them in, along with clothes Jack had in the hamper. Jack noticed what she was doing.
"Cass…" he began to protest.
"I'll be right there." She replied as she finished setting machine.
Jack figured getting back into a semblance of normalcy would be good for her so he just went back to putting the food on the table.
"So…" Jack started, "You know I do need to let Sam know what is going on? She is going to want to know."
Cassie looked up from her food. Jack was glad to see was at least attempting to actually eat her pancake instead of just nibbling and picking at it. "I know. I just…" She trailed off and looked down.
"Just what?" Jack prodded.
"I feel bad about disappointing her. She is going to be upset with me." Cassie blurted out.
Jack was shocked and it showed on his face. "Cassie, what in the hell makes you think anything remotely close to that? Sam loves you unconditionally and is proud of you. She would never be disappointed in you for something like this."
Cassie refused to look up. "Sam would never have allowed something like this to happen. She is too strong."
Jack felt a pang of sorrow. Cassie obviously was afraid of what Sam would say. It was obvious that she had no idea of Sam's dealings with Jonas Hanson, but Jack was not sure that was his place to bring it up, but he needed to gain some ground.
"Cassie, Sam is a different woman than you. Yes, she is a strong and capable woman. So are you. You just don't see it yet. You have been through so much for someone so young and survived it. And you have managed to even help Sam and I out when we needed it. You cannot compare yourself to Sam in all respects. Yes, she is a great role model and someone to certainly admire, respect, and seek advice from, the same as…Janet was, but I bet you my paycheck she would be the first to tell you that you have to seek your own path, based on your own skills and knowledge, and understand that there are some things you are better suited to and some that you are not. I bet even Sam doesn't understand medical like you do. Everyone is suited to their role in life and you cannot expect yourself to react the same way to every situation as Sam or even I do. And for the record, you cannot assume that Sam does not know or would not understand a situation like this. That is unfair to her." Jack explained, hoping that did not violate too much of Sam's privacy. I am so getting in trouble here.
Cassie glanced up him. "You think…? I mean… I just feel…" She stopped.
Jack reached out and took her hand. "Enough talking about it for now. Finish your breakfast and then let's get you some clothes okay? Then we can talk some more. We need to figure what you can do about school and I thought about maybe asking if you wanted to spend some time at the cabin."
Cassie nodded as she ate some more.
"You don't have to do anything you don't want to. We can stay here, or wherever. Just think about it okay?" Jack said.
"Okay."
Jack smiled and got up. "I'm going to shower and change. I hope you left me some hot water." He joked.
Cassie chuckled. "That only happened once."
Jack took on an indigent look. "Once for an entire week! You came for Spring Break and I had cold showers the entire week."
Cassie giggled again. Jack had to admit it made him feel better to know the real Cassie was in there somewhere. He mussed her hair and headed for the stairs.
He came back down to find she had cleaned the kitchen and was again sitting out back on the porch with a cigarette. He opened the door and came out and sat down beside her.
"What did you decide?" He asked.
She looked over at him. "I guess I can call my counselor as see what my options are."
Jack nodded. "Okay. I can be there if you want." He looked over at her. "Cassie, I know it's difficult, but you have invested so much into your schooling, and come so far, I just want you to be able to succeed. I know it will be difficult but no matter what Sam and I will support you and help you."
"Thank you for that." Cassie said softly.
"We love you Cassie. That is unconditional." Jack said.
"Do you want to stay here, or…?"
"Cabin. I want to go to the cabin." Cassie answered quickly, cutting him off. Seeing his surprise as her fast reaction, she looked down. "Sorry" She said quietly.
Jack shifted and moved down the steps to he could look Cassie in the eye with her still sitting on the deck. "Cassie, you have done nothing wrong. You really need to understand that. You don't have to apologize and you certainly don't have to worry about upsetting or offending anyone. You are as entitled to your opinion and your feelings as anyone. Understand?"
Cassie raised her eyes to his. He could see the hurt on her face and it broke his heart. She regarded him for a full minute before she finally nodded.
He leaned forward and kissed her cheek gently. He was happy that she didn't flinch.
"Okay. Let's get you some descent clothes." Jack said.
As they left the mall, Jack asked, "Cassie, are you sure you got enough clothes?"
Cassie chuckled. "Jack, you made me get enough clothes to go a week without having to do laundry. I think I am going to be okay." She leaned over and pecked his cheek.
They got back home and unloaded. Jack looked at all the clothes. "I will grab a suitcase and you can just pack. Tomorrow, we will head to the Springs okay?"
A strange expression crossed Cassie's face a moment, then it was gone, but Jack caught it.
"Honey, you know I have to tell Sam. I cannot hide the fact you are here, with me, and not in school. She is going to ask why." Jack said.
"I know. It's just that…it means seeing other people, and to be honest, I guess it just dawned on me." Cassie explained.
Jack smiled. "You will not have to interact with anyone you don't want to, but you know Daniel and Teal'c will want to see you. They love you very much."
Cassie nodded, but her face showed doubt.
"I will make a deal with you. We will go to the house in the Springs. If you are adamant about not seeing anyone, we will go in at night during min-manning. Okay?"
Cassie smiled. "Thank you."